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U.S. Air Force News

  • Dana Pounds named Air Force Athlete of the Year

    Former Air Force track and field standout 2nd Lt. Dana Pounds was named the 2008 Female Athlete of the Year, Air Force Services Agency officials have announced. Lieutenant Pounds, who spent the past two years as a member of the World Class Athlete Program, or WCAP, finished second at the Olympic

  • Future Airman gains confidence, loses 160 pounds

    Leo Knight-Inglesby is more determined than ever, and for the past 15 months has pushed himself beyond the limits he, and his loved ones, ever thought possible. The 22-year-old Silver Spring, Md., native is so set to "Do Something Amazing" in the Air Force that he shed more than 160 pounds to meet

  • AFPC officials to offer personnel course for commanders

    Air Force Personnel Center officials here are launching a new course designed to provide squadron commanders outside the personnel career field with the latest military and civilian personnel programs and procedures.The course also provides information on the air and space expeditionary force

  • Operation Cheer provides poinsettias to wounded

    A Randolph Air Force Base chaplain is showing his love for wounded warriors this holiday season with a lot of help from his flock. Chaplain (Capt.) Eric Boyer of the 12th Flying Training Wing encouraged base members to contribute to Operation Cheer, a program that brings a dose of the holiday spirit

  • Program raises awareness about global AIDS epidemic

    The Defense Department's HIV/AIDS Prevention Program, or DHAPP, is making progress with partner nations by supporting implementation of HIV prevention, care and treatment programs, educating their militaries and creating awareness of the global epidemic, a senior official working in the program

  • AFSO 21 experts tour Robins

    Military and civilian leaders came to Robins Air Force Base Dec. 16 to see how Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century efforts have found better ways to get things done here. Nineteen general officers toured parts of the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center then spent an afternoon discussing

  • Bakers, baggers deliver sweet treats to dormitory Airmen

    Thousands of homemade cookies, candy, hot chocolate and other goodies were collected, bagged and delivered to dormitory residents Dec. 16 at Peterson Air Force Base.Hundreds of people donated cookies and sweets, totaling more than 6,600, for nearly 400 single servicemembers of Peterson, Schriever

  • UAS students graduate from inaugural class

    Nine lieutenants graduated from the first combat familiarization program for pilots slated to fly unmanned aircraft systems Dec. 22 at Randolph Air Force Base. The four-week Unmanned Aircraft Systems Fundamentals Course, or UFC, began instruction Nov. 21 taught by 563rd Flying Training Squadron

  • Today's Air Force' features personnel recovery exercise

    This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights Angel Thunder, a personnel recovery exercise in New Mexico with more than 850 ground recovery forces. Also, the Base Realignment Committee, or BRAC, is allowing the U.S. military to become a more integrated force with many services. See how the Army and

  • First security guardsmen dispatched into missile fields

    Officials at the Minot-based 219th Security Forces Squadron of the North Dakota Air National Guard's 119th Wing have dispatched security Airmen into the missile fields at Minot Air Force Base for the first time. "Putting guardsmen into the field to work side by side with the active duty is a

  • Harlem Globetrotters put on a show at Andersen

    The world-famous Harlem Globetrotters visited Andersen Air Force Base, toured operations, conducted a sports clinic and a played an exhibition game with the Washington Generals Dec. 14 here. Using their "C.H.E.E.R. for Character" program, the Globetrotters held a basketball clinic for Andersen AFB

  • NORAD prepares for 50th year tracking Santa

    Among North American Aerospace Command's diverse and challenging missions, none is more gratifying -- or as downright fun -- as tracking Santa Claus each year for children around the world, the NORAD commander said this week. "It is the most wonderful experience you can ever imagine to talk to

  • PACAF officials centralize fitness testing

    Airmen across the Pacific Air Forces area of responsibility soon will see a change in their fitness testing procedures as command officials move to centralize the testing under base health and wellness centers by March of 2009. After receiving feedback from across the command, Gen. Howie Chandler,

  • Kyrgyzstan parliament members visit Manas

    A delegation of Kyrgyzstan's parliament led by Vice Speaker Kubanychbek Isabekov visited Manas Air Base Dec. 15. Following weeks of planning and extensive preparation, 17 members of the Kyrgyz parliament came to tour the base. The delegation was greeted by Col. Christopher Bence, the 376th Air

  • Secretary announces provisional Global Strike commander

    The secretary of the Air Force here selected a commander for the provisional Air Force Global Strike Command Dec. 18. Secretary Michael B. Donley chose Brig. Gen. James M. Kowalski to lead the provisional command.Air Force officials will propose a three-star general lead the permanent command. The

  • Trainees slew the BEAST in new basic training program

    The first group of Airman Basic trainees in the newly extended 8.5-week Basic Military Training program conquered the BEAST Dec. 15 at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. The BEAST, which stands for Basic Expeditionary Airman Skills and Training, is the centerpiece of the new two-week expansion that

  • Course gives officers new outlook on force support

    Officials at the first Force Support Officers' Course here graduated 57 officers Dec. 11 with Lt. Gen. Richard Newton on hand to congratulate the officers on their achievement. "These outstanding officers made history as they walked across the stage," said General Newton, the deputy chief of staff

  • C-17 revolutionizing logistics in Antarctica

    Airmen assigned to the 304th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron supporting Operation Deep Freeze completed the first operational C-17 Globemaster III airdrop to the Antarctic Gamburtsev Mountain Province Nov. 26. Thirty bundles of fuel and other supplies were delivered to a scientific camp in the

  • UAS beta program underway; officials seek more applicants

    Air Force officials selected 10 Air Force officers to begin the first-ever unmanned aircraft systems beta test program to produce operators of the MQ-1 Predator. The 10 selectees will begin training Jan. 5 at Pueblo, Colo. "We were encouraged by the extremely strong interest in this program," said

  • Wright-Patterson Airmen earn top safety award

    The Star award, which is the highest level of recognition under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Voluntary Protection Program, was presented to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base officials here Dec. 9. Mandated in 2006 by then Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, VPP is a

  • Dover Airmen deliver humanitarian supplies to Guatemala

    They might not wear red suits or fly a sleigh with nine reindeer, but Airmen of the 709th Airlift Squadron here kept true to the holiday spirit of goodwill by delivering supplies to Guatemalan children Dec. 5 and 6. Performing the role of Santa's sleigh, a Dover Air Force Base C-5 Galaxy packed with

  • EUCOM program aims to reduce caregiver fatigue

    Recognizing the risk of burnout among caregivers providing warrior and family support, U.S. European Command plans to kick off a program this spring that incorporates principles introduced by bestselling author and lecturer Dr. Stephen Covey. EUCOM is putting together a compassion-fatigue program

  • Officials set military housing allowance rates for 2009

    Housing allowances for military members will go up an average of 6.9 percent in 2009, Defense Department officials announced Dec. 15. The increase comes to an average of about $95 per month across the board for the 950,000 servicemembers expected to draw basic allowance for housing, or BAH, in 2009,

  • McChord Airmen fuel Operation Deep Freeze

    Airmen assigned to the 304th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron in support of Operation Deep Freeze completed the first operational C-17 Globemaster III airdrop Nov. 26 to the Antarctic Gamburtsev Mountain Province. Thirty bundles of fuel and other supplies were delivered by the members of the from the

  • Kyrgyzstan mayors visit Manas

    Mayors and deputy mayors of the six largest villages that surround Manas Air Base met the Airmen and learned the mission of the base during a Dec. 10 tour here. Base and village leaders meet one another, discussed issues that affect both and developed stronger ties through which to resolve issues of

  • Air Force officials honor top recruiters for 2008

    Fourteen Air Force recruiters were named tops in their field for fiscal 2008 by Air Force Recruiting Service officials here in December. Operation Blue Suit program recognizes the best recruiters worldwide for their efforts in recruiting a diverse, high-quality volunteer force to fill career fields

  • Congress authorizes paternity leave

    Eligible Airmen are now authorized 10 days of nonchargeable paternity leave following the birth of their newborns, courtesy of the 2009 Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act passed by Congress. The law applies to married, active-duty Airmen. The Airman's wife must have given birth to the

  • 'Today's Air Force' features Airmen training Iraqis

    This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights how Air Force officers are sharing valuable leadership skills in an effort to train the Iraqi military on the proper tools to maintain security throughout their country. And while the use of technology facilitates our daily missions from

  • Alaska Guard continues Operation Santa Claus tradition

    Children from rural Alaskan communities were treated to an early Christmas this year as members of the Alaska National Guard completed Operation Santa Claus for young people in communities across the state. The 50-year community relations and support program provides toys, books and school supplies

  • Multinational recovery exercise kicks off at Davis-Monthan

    More than 850 ground recovery forces and 51 aircraft from the Department of Defense and numerous other countries kicked off a personnel recovery and combat search and rescue exercise Dec. 8 here. The two week-long Angel Thunder 2008 exercise allows U.S. and international military forces and numerous

  • Scholarships help retiree finish education

    Spouses with an eye on professional certification or a post-secondary education may not have to foot the entire bill, thanks to a National Military Family Association scholarship program. The group is accepting applications for its annual Joanne Holbrook Patton Military Spouse Scholarship. The

  • Airman helps shape future Afghan firefighters

    Afghan firefighters at the Kabul International Airport stand ready to answer a call to save lives and resources here thanks to the dedicated efforts of their American counterpart. Master Sgt. Mike Marascia, Afghan fire protection mentor, has spent the last 11 months establishing the Afghan Joint

  • AF plan could enable Iraq air sovereignty, independence

    Work being done here by officials of the Electronic Systems Center and its federally funded research and development center partner, MITRE Corp., is helping pave the way for the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq. ESC and MITRE International Operations specialists, in concert with a number of ESC

  • RED HORSE Airmen close chapter with Iraqis

    Airmen with the 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE Squadron witnessed the ribbon-cutting ceremony for a community center Dec. 5 in Hawr Rajab. Through a program called Village of Hope, RED HORSE Airmen taught Iraqi citizens the basics of construction over a 10-month period that yielded four remodeled

  • Medics, maintainers test skills at alternative careers

    How many steps does it take to prepare an F-16 Fighting Falcon to launch for a combat sortie? How stomach-turning is it to sit in on a surgery?  Staff Sgt. Ubong Okokon and Master Sgt. Mark Crew are dedicated to answering these questions and more for Airmen serving in the Air Force Theater Hospital

  • New year brings new tools to quit tobacco

    Department of Defense and Tricare officials are offering new innovative online tools to help servicemembers keep their New Year's resolutions to quit tobacco. The DOD-sponsored educational campaign, Quit Tobacco--Make Everyone Proud, is expanding its interactive Web site. Users can now create a blog

  • Wynonna Judd joins Reserve Band for TV broadcast

    Members of the Band of the Air Force Reserve and Air Force Strings teamed up with Wynonna and Naomi Judd and the Palmetto State Quartet for this year's Holiday Notes from Home concert recorded Dec. 9 at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tenn. Viewers around the world will have a chance to see

  • General addresses Reserve issues on Web cast

    The 4th Air Force commander took part in a worldwide Web cast panel discussion Dec. 4 here to provide an update on the Guard and Reserve. Major Gen. Robert E. Duignan was part of a three-person expert panel brought together for an appearance on "Front and Center," a monthly public affairs forum on

  • Procurement initiative secures DOD computers, saves money

    Department of Defense officials are among those of dozens of departments and organizations who have improved security for their laptop computers and saved taxpayers more than $92 million by using a new procurement initiative, a senior Defense Department official said here. DOD and the General

  • Air Force radio show features Faith Hill

    The 2008 "Red, White and Air Force Blue Christmas" radio special featuring country music's multi-award winning artist Faith Hill is arriving this week at more than 3,300 country music radio stations across the nation. In its 14th year, the radio special includes a selection of holiday classics from

  • AMC unveils new mission statement and focus areas

    This past June, I issued a call for all AMC personnel to "return to basics," and I thank you for the renewed attention you've given to our core values and our mobility mission while restoring the Air Force's good name with your daily, outstanding mission accomplishment. Today, we build on that

  • Gaming technology used for interactive military training

    Air Force Research Laboratory's researchers at Mesa, Ariz., unveiled the technological potential of its gaming research and development project publicly Dec. 1 during the 2008 Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference in Orlando, Fla. Members of the 711th Human Performance

  • Airmen, Marines join forces during exercise at Kadena

    Japan-based Airmen and Marines came together for Exercise Beverly High 09-01 the first week of December at Kadena Air Base.Airmen of the 18th Wing integrated with Marines from Marine Corps Station Iawkuni as they executed their missions under simulated combat conditions.About 35 aircraft and 700

  • 'Today's Air Force' features Combat Skills Training

    This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights security and how Airmen are getting extra training while preparing for deployment downrange, especially if they're going to Iraq or Afghanistan. Airmen from many career fields are going to Combat Skills Training to develop a warfighter mentality. Also

  • Leaders encourage Airmen to apply for Academy

    Young, hard-charging Airmen are sought for entry into the U.S. Air Force Academy and the Air Force Academy Preparatory School with the end goal of earning a commission, but must apply by Jan. 31, 2009. The Academy sets aside up to 85 slots for active-duty Airmen and up to 85 more slots for Guard and

  • Programs aim to strengthen military marriages, curb divorce

    Servicemembers and their spouses are flocking to a broad array of programs to help them strengthen their family relationships as the services step up efforts to curb divorce rates.Military divorce rates rose by .1 percent -- to 3.4 percent -- during fiscal 2008, with 492 more divorces than the

  • Airmen provide FAST coverage

    Upon landing one morning at a remote location in Iraq, two specially trained Airmen with the 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron took charge of security for a $30.1 million C-130 Hercules and its crew. Senior Airmen Rosie Munoz and Michelle Kendall assume this responsibility on a regular

  • Re-invigorating nuclear enterprise a top priority

    Maintaining accountability and improving stewardship of the Air Force's nuclear program is the top priority, said the service's 19th chief of staff recently. Gen. Norton Schwartz said the Air Force has gone through some "rough" air in the realm of nuclear deterrence, but the service is already on

  • E-8C's new engine program takes off

    America's eye in the sky, the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System,  or Joint STARS, will soon be faster, quieter, more efficient and more operationally effective with a major engine upgrade effort now under way here. Getting new engines on E-8C test aircraft is a major milestone for

  • Academy officials announce 2008 distinguished graduates

    Officials from the U.S. Air Force Academy and the Academy's Association of Graduates have announced the winners of the 2008 Distinguished Graduate Award. Retired Maj. Gen. Donald Shepperd, Class of 1962, and Mr. John Martinson, Class of 1970, earned this prestigious honor for their singular and

  • Guard families eligible for child care subsidy

    For National Guard members who are about to deploy, there is a lot to think about before heading overseas. Changes have to be made to school and work schedules, arrangements have to be made for routine household chores, but for many, child care is one thing that weighs heaviest on their minds. For

  • Little Rock officials celebrate Arbor Day

    A single green ash tree was planted in the ground adjacent to the child development center consummating Little Rock Air Force Base's 15th Annual Arbor Day ceremony Dec. 1 here. The base earned its Tree City USA designation in 1993, and since that time, the base has maintained written policy

  • Lean initiatives in the Portuguese air force

    There have been many articles touting the benefits to the Air Force of Lean initiatives and Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century, or AFSO 21. It's not only the Air Force that is benefiting from Lean initiatives, however.  Other air forces have benefited from the Lean initiatives supported

  • Military financial road show heads to Washington state

    As headlines scream news of an economic recession, a Defense Department team is heading to the Pacific Northwest Dec. 4 to help drive home the point that financial readiness is a big part of mission readiness. Fort Lewis, McChord Air Force Base and Naval Air Station Bremerton in Washington state

  • Andersen officials to transfer management functions to Navy

    The Joint Region Marianas will stand up in January as Andersen Air Force Base officials will relocate installation management functions to the commander of U.S. Naval Forces, Marianas located on Guam.This was a result of almost four years of planning to implement this change to the law as a result

  • Air Force officials reduce waste with recycling program

    Base officials here helped the environment by expanding their recycling program from plastic bottles and aluminum cans to include hazardous materials, chlorofluorocarbons, metals such as copper and steel, and cardboard boxes.The program resulted in payments that have amounted to $95,000 so far this

  • Internal training key to Iraqi air force independence

    As the Iraqi parliament works out the details of the new status of forces agreement that calls for American forces to withdraw from the country in 2011, Iraqi air force emergency responders from New al Muthana Air Base took the lead for the first time in a mass casualty response exercise Nov. 21 as

  • Air Force leaders reinforce zero tolerance for sexual assault

    Leaders from wing level to senior Air Force brass recently gathered for a two-day leader summit on sexual assault prevention and response here. Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz affirmed their commitment to eliminating sexual assaults in

  • Hiring authority makes it easier to hire disabled employees

    Air Force officials are working to increase manager understanding of how to hire qualified people with disabilities. The Schedule A hiring authority, a noncompetitive government hiring process, allows federal employers to hire qualified people with mental retardation, severe physical disabilities or

  • 'Today's Air Force' features warrior care

    This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights a different type of therapy for wounded warriors. While most rehabilitation occurs within the walls of medical facilities, new and unique organizations are now able to treat wounded warriors outside medical facilities. Also featured is a plan to

  • Air Force family liaisons help wounded warriors, families

    Air Force family liaison officers have an important role in assisting wounded warriors and their families, a San Antonio-based Air Force senior noncommissioned officer said. The Air Force's family liaison officer program "truly is the lifeblood of taking care of our war wounded," said Chief Master

  • Airmen help build Afghan military medical capability

    A small group of Airmen helped transform a once empty building into a fully functional hospital at Camp Hero in Kandahar Province that is now staffed by Afghan national army personnel and capable of caring for ANA soldiers, Afghan national police members, and their families. The Kandahar Regional

  • Lackland medical center labs receive 2-year accreditation

    The labs at San Antonio Military Medical Center-South recently received a two-year accreditation from the AABB, an organization recognized by the industry for monitoring and advancing transfusion and cellular therapies worldwide. The accreditation involved an intensive on-site assessment by AABB

  • Hockey: No. 11 Air Force falls to No. 9 Denver, 4-1

    After 13 straight wins, No. 11 Air Force fell to No. 9 Denver, 4-1, in a non-conference college hockey game at a sold out Magness Arena in Denver, Colo. Air Force fell to 13-1 on the season while Denver improved to 9-5-1 overall. Air Force was the last undefeated and untied team in the nation and

  • DOD safety program team visits Cannon

    A Department of Defense's Voluntary Protection Program initial site assessment team visited Cannon AFB Nov. 3 - 7. The team visited various work areas on base to give commanders and other personnel some guidance on going above and beyond complying with safety standards and be awarded the

  • Airman's Roll Call: Easing deployment stress

    This week's Airman's Roll Call focuses on easing deployment stress through personal and family readiness.Airmen with financial, family or other personal concerns may struggle to perform their duties at 100 percent efficiency at home station or abroad. The Airman and Family Readiness Center helps

  • AFPC Airmen hold unit run in honor of Warrior Care Month

    Hundreds of Airmen from the Air Force Personnel Center here ran through the streets around Airmen's Heritage Park here Nov. 25 in honor of Air Force wounded warriors. AFPC officials hosted the run as part of Warrior Care Month to honor the sacrifices of Air Force wounded warriors and to increase

  • Air Force civilian earns award for plasma research

    The Plasma Science and Applications Committee of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers selected an Air Force Office of Scientific Research program manager for the 2009 Plasma Science and Applications award. The committee chose Dr. Robert Barker for his "outstanding contributions to

  • New tool assures aircraft material integrity, performance

    Air Force researchers working with industry here have developed and effectively demonstrated a portable, nondestructive evaluation technology that measures in real time the electrical properties of specialty materials underneath the exterior coating of advanced military aircraft. The new technology,

  • MTV visits Fairchild

    Five crew members from MTV came to Fairchild Air Force Base Nov. 17 for a firsthand glimpse of what the Air Force has to offer. MTV's "How to Show" has celebrities demonstrating how to do a variety of things through a step-by-step format, and the Air Force joined MTV to show how Airmen survive,

  • Space loses one of its stars

    One of the Air Force Space and Missile Pioneers, retired Brig. Gen. Maurice A. Cristadoro Jr., 88, died Nov. 22. His wake and funeral will be held Nov. 28 in Pensacola, Fla. Air Force Space Command officials inducted General Cristadoro to the Space and Missile Pioneers Hall of Fame in 2006 for his

  • DOD officials navigate language roadmap

    Defense Department officials here completed more than 90 percent of the tasks they set out to accomplish in a language plan that launched four years ago. Known as the Defense Language Transformation Roadmap, this broad strategy aims to address national shortfalls in foreign language skills in the

  • PACAF key to stability in diverse theater, general says

    The Pacific theater is large, diverse and complicated, but the Airmen of Pacific Air Forces are up to the challenge, according to a senior PACAF leader speaking in Los Angeles Nov. 20. Lt. Gen. Chip Utterback, 13th Air Force commander, kicked off the Air Force Association Global Warfare Symposium

  • Travel charge cards to switch over Nov. 30

    The government-issued Bank of America official travel charge card that's been used for years by Defense Department military and civilian employees will be deactivated effective Nov. 30, Defense Travel Management Office officials said. Citibank has the new contract, and eligible defense military and

  • Post-combat coping methods vary, troops say

    Methods of coping with combat and its aftereffects vary as greatly as the effects themselves, six warriors participating in a conference panel here said. Officials at the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury hosted the "Warrior Resilience Conference:

  • Guard members to be honored through Salute Campaign

    Air National Guard officials here announced Nov. 20 they will soon honor what could be more than 70,000 citizen-Airmen who have deployed in contingencies since Sept. 11, 2001, with a Hometown Heroes Salute Campaign.Chief Master Sgt. Richard Smith, command chief of the Air Guard, made the

  • Football: TCU thrashes Falcons

    Air Force concluded the 2008 regular season on a sour note in Fort Worth, Texas, Nov. 22 with a 44-10 loss at the hands of Texas Christian University. The Horned Frogs dominated both sides of the ball and kept the Falcons' high-powered offense from getting on track on a cool afternoon in

  • 'Today's Air Force' features Air Force Week Los Angeles

    This edition of "Today's Air Force" highlights the third and final Air Force Week celebration of 2008 which began with a proclamation ceremony at the famous Kodak Theater in Hollywood, Calif. Also featured is a new command. Air Force officials unveiled the colors during the assumption of command

  • Program helps Guard, Reserve members fill active-duty tours

    When his building inspection business slowed, Tech. Sgt. David Marcelli of the District of Columbia Air National Guard needed to find work. He found it by using the Personnel Force Innovation program that matches up organizations that need Guard and Reserve members looking for active duty tours.

  • Iraqi air force pilots conduct aeromedical mission

    Iraqi airmen conducted an aeromedical evacuation mission from here Nov. 21, ferrying an Iraqi servicemember injured in combat from the Air Force Theater Hospital here to Forward Operating Base Gabe in Baqubah, Iraq. "Aeromedical evacuation is crucial to the viability of the Iraqi air force," said

  • Small business specialist recognized with DOD award

    The small business specialist for the 6th Air Mobility Wing at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., was one of six individuals recognized in the Department of Defense for his efforts in going beyond goals to advance the objectives of the service-disabled veteran-owned small business, or

  • DOD defers F-22 funding decision to next administration

    To avoid unnecessary taxpayer spending, Defense Department officials here are only partially funding the expansion of F-22 Raptor aircraft production, leaving the decision for further expansion to the incoming presidential administration. John J. Young Jr., the undersecretary of Defense for

  • Kirtland officials accelerate space-based program testing

    Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center officials here successfully tested the Space-Based Infrared System Highly Elliptical Orbit payload and operations center and accelerated operational acceptance by six weeks. SBIRS is a consolidated system intended to meet United States infrared space

  • Coalition force Reaper unit deploys to Joint Base Balad

    A coalition force comprising experts from the U.S. Air Force and Royal Air Force deployed here recently to sustain operations for the world's most lethal unmanned aircraft system. An MQ-9 Reaper aircraft maintenance unit, attached to the 46th Expeditionary Reconnaissance and Attack Squadron, melds

  • Open season ongoing for 3 civilian benefit programs

    Air Force officials here announced the open season for three civilian benefit programs continues until Dec. 8. The three programs are the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, or FEHB; the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program, or FEDVIP; and the Federal Flexible Spending

  • Stars visible at, from LA observatory

    Senior Air Force leaders rubbed elbows with entertainment industry figures Nov. 18 during an Air Force Week reception at the Griffith Observatory here. Hosted by the Friends of the Observatory, a nonprofit organization which supports the world's most visited public observatory, the event honored

  • Reserve Affairs chief explains new DOD directive

    Recent changes on how the Guard and Reserves are recognized are larger than any in recent history, a senior Defense Department official said here Nov. 19. Thomas F. Hall, the assistant secretary of defense for Reserve Affairs, told the Air National Guard's top officers and command chief master

  • Program addresses wounded, ill servicemembers' needs

    More than 1,900 wounded servicemembers have benefited from their enrollment in a specialized health program to meet their unique needs during their rehabilitative process. "As we began seeing more wounded servicemembers returning to our region, we identified some unique needs that they faced as they

  • Research into flies' hearing could aid UAS program

    A professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Maryland is researching miniature acoustic sensors and sound localization techniques using the hearing mechanisms of flies as a model. Such research could benefit the Air Force by leading to the development of an artificial fly unmanned

  • Grand Forks communicators start 2 major base projects

    The 130-person 319th Communications Squadron here is busy preparing Grand Forks Air Force Base for two critical information technology projects for the base and the entire Air Force.One project is for the High Frequency Global Communications System is a highly-automated communications system that

  • 'Spread the Word' team addresses workforce concerns

    The commander of the Air Force Personnel Center brought her Spread the Word briefing team here Nov. 12 to 14 to communicate personnel changes with diverse groups of customers. Maj. Gen. K. C. McClain is traveling with the team initially to each Air Force base with a major command headquarters

  • Paving the way for a new travel reimbursement process

    Air Force finance officials are implementing ways to improve customer service to Airmen with process changes, said the director of the Secretary of the Air Force Financial Management Process Improvement and Integrations Office. "This has been a rocky road for some Air Force travelers," said

  • New program for DOD moves rolls out

    Officials from U.S. Transportation Command here and the Army's Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command announced that Phase II of the Defense Personal Property System will begin live operations Nov. 19. DPS is the automated, end-to-end management system for movement of household goods

  • Air Force chief of staff visits Arnold

    The chief of staff of the Air Force made his first visit to middle Tennessee and to Arnold Engineering Development Center here Nov. 17 to see and learn about developmental testing of current and future weapons systems. Gen. Norton Schwartz's inaugural tour of AEDC started off with a bang, literally,

  • E-9 board president emphasizes record verification

    The president of the 2008 chief master sergeant evaluation board convened Oct. 20 at the Air Force Personnel Center here emphasized the importance of record verification by each eligible individual prior to the evaluation board convening. Brig. Gen. Frederick H. "Rick" Martin, the U.S. Africa

  • DOD officials recognize dedication to veterans

    No one has to tell Dawn Halfaker the value of hiring veterans, especially those disabled in combat. She is one. A U.S. Military Academy at West Point graduate and former Army military police officer, Ms. Halfaker was serving in Iraq in 2004 when a rocket-propelled grenade struck her convoy.

  • Directory for wounded warriors, families, caregivers launched

    Department of Defense officials here Nov. 17 launched the National Resource Directory, a collaborative effort between the departments of Defense, Labor and Veterans Affairs. The directory is a Web-based network of care coordinators, providers and support partners with resources for wounded, ill and

  • International Space Station turns 10 years old

    Nations around the world will join together Nov. 20 here to mark a milestone in space exploration to celebrate the 10th birthday of a unique research laboratory, the International Space Station. Now the largest spacecraft ever built, the orbital assembly of the space station began with the launch

  • Eagle Vision lands at Peterson

    A Department of Defense Eagle Vision team demonstrated its capability Nov. 9 through 14 at Peterson Air Force Base. Eagle Vision is a family of deployable, commercial satellite ground stations that down link unclassified commercial imagery data from Earth-orbiting satellites. Eagle Vision ground